No news. We’ve seen an Emirates representative at least who was very pleasant but couldn’t help us much at all. A lot of people are panicking and booking themselves on any available flight out of here, regardless of where it is. Some people are hoping to fly to Athens tomorrow. I’m not sure what they do then. It will be a long journey home.
Emirates have confirmed that they will pay for another night at our hotel which is a huge relief and they have advised that our best course of action is to sit tight and wait. I did mention to her that last time the volcano erupted it continued to do so for two years, but she didn’t seem to think we’d here that long, so that’s a relief.
We’ll venture out tomorrow then – a little bit further than we have today. There are beaches to visit and fake bag shops to go to – although my nine year old is adamant that he’s not going to a “place that sells fake bra’s – way too boring”. I just have to go with it. Nothing else to do. I’m really hoping I’ll get back in time for my son’s operation but I can’t do anything about it with my kids in tow. It really is a great time to be stuck in Dubai. The weather is GORGEOUS. Will take pictures tomorrow.
I can’t quite cope though with the way the men are looking at my daughter. It is extraordinary. I have made her put leggings on when we go out much to her horror and cover up a bit but still – she is gazed at all the time and I’m feeling a bit protective (and/or jealous). In one shop the female assistant said “your daughter is SOOO beautiful. I can see what you looked like a long, long, long time ago when I look at her” and I was thinking “less of the long, long stuff” and then she said “we have an old saying that when the daughter looks like the mother then the father loves the mother very, very, very much”. I smiled serenely, but didn’t think she’d want to know that in my opinion there couldn’t have been a saying that got it more wrong. Meanwhile my daughter was hysterically laughing.
Builder Bloke has been in touch. He’s worried about us. He thinks we need to get back somehow as soon as possible before we get stuck. He’s offered to drive and get us. “DRIVE?” I said to him, “ARE YOU MAD??”.
“I’ve looked at the map and it is entirely possible. It wouldn’t take me long to get from Germany to Bulgaria, then Turkey, Jordon and across the desert in Saudi Arabia. Some bits might be a bit risky, but I reckon I could do it in four days”. “FOUR DAYS???” More like four weeks…..
Needless to say I’ve told him not to be ridiculous. I think he thinks he’s bloody Crocodile Dundee. Just as we fly out he’d probably be in prison in Iran or dead from dehydration across the desert in his big truck. What a mad idea. Quite a sweet thought though.
Kelloggsville
April 17, 2010awwwww – what a sweetie, stoopid but sweet!
The trains across europe abd the ferries are all chocablocka (The business men can’t possibly not travel for a week). Even when they get to Athens there is bugger all they will be able to do. I also wonder once you’ve taken yourself out of the hands of your original travel plans whether the insurance might stop covering you. Enjoy another day or two.
The unofficial line this morning was Wednesday for the airports here but it could just be the press dramatising it up for the weekend papers as nothing exciting is happening in the election campaign.
Family Affairs
April 17, 2010Thanks so much for all the updates. Very informative…..think could cope with Wednesday now but not much longer Lx
Chic Mama
April 17, 2010Sorry, I know it’s not funny but you do make me giggle. I promise you I would rather be stuck in Dubai than here but I would be twitchy about your son’s operation… :0(
Builder bloke….awww, that is so sweet…sorry but that is funny that he would do that. Drive??? He must be insane, I would never ever have thought of that! ;0)
Here’s hoping that you do get home very soon. xx
Jo
April 18, 2010Hello,
We’ve been scheduled on a flight leaving Chicago on Wednesday.
I’m not sure that I can take much more.
I now just want to be home.
So I definitely feel for you.
Good luck.
xx jo
Ruesedaine
April 18, 2010Hope you get back home soon. I wonder if you had seen the film
“Le Grand Voyage” A fantastic story about a Moroccan emigre to France who has his French-born university aged son drive him to Mecca for the Haj.
Family Affairs
April 18, 2010No, I haven’t seen that film but maybe I should….Lx
Cocroft@plumbers in tampa fl
April 20, 2010Your way of thinking flow so well and are so snappy and to the level of what I was attempting to communicate, you do heaps keener job at it.
Interior Design Firm
April 20, 2010I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own BlogEngine blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.
Family Affairs
April 21, 2010That’s good. Keep it up! Lx
single mother
April 21, 2010It might be really difficult for single mothers at a young age to cope up with the needs of her child. A lot has to be taken care of in bringing up the child which includes the welfare of the child as well as managing with one’s own education. Moreover, it is really tough to lead a life alone after separating from the spouse.
Clendenin@tampa plumber
April 21, 2010Your persuasions flow so well and are so snappy and to the detail of what I was trying to transmit, you do wads nicer job at it.
Single mother
April 22, 2010I hope not though. I’ve found out that single mother welfare is not really worth it. Let’s see how things are going.
Raymon Christesen
April 24, 2010I feel like I’m constantly looking for interesting things to read about a variety of subjects, but I manage to include your blog among my reads every day because you have compelling entries that I look forward to. Here’s hoping there’s a lot more top-notch material coming!
Cuba Travel Agent
April 30, 2010Hello, I have browsed most of your posts. This post is probably where I got the most useful information for my research. Thanks for posting, maybe we can see more on this. Are you aware of any other websites on this subject
travel nursing jobs
May 17, 2010thanks very much, I have to comment that your website is brilliant!